Mold Smell From Books & Paper Mold or Old Ink & Paper Chemicals?

[WhatInThe]

Throwing out , donating etc came across a book with white pages and no spotting yet the most stinky. Many people say that smell is mold but could it be old paper and ink chemicals?

Placed in the sun a day and pages fanned out and became more rigid. Is that moisture leaving or a book buried for decades got to breathe.

 

[Marie5656]

I have heard of doing that. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[win231]

Many years ago, I read there is a mold that specifically grows on paper. That's what gives that interesting smell when you walk into a used-book store & sometimes a library.

 

[MeAgain]

I just cleaned out my library today so hope I'm ok.